Magic of the Golden Fortress

[Disclaimer: The following piece is a memoir of my experience and observation of the book/film Sonar Kella by Satyajit Ray. Please note that, it includes some of the detailed plot discussions and spoilers regarding the mystery of the novel.]

Sonar Kella, the name evokes a host of childhood memories, not only for me but I am sure, for a lot of my friends too. That’s why, when I first decided to express my admiration for this wonderful novel and the brilliant movie I thought of sharing one of my personal stories from childhood. Well, it is a funny story and as you know, more often than not a funny story is at someone expenses. In this case that someone is me.

The year was around 1990. I was in the first or second standard in school. There used to be a writer named Ananda Bagchi who wrote adventure stories for children. Now, one day in school, one of my friends praised a lot about an adventure book by Ananda Bagchi. The name of the book was ‘Sonar Biscuit’. It was basically a story of three school friends going to North Bengal in holidays and then discovering the secret of a gang of smugglers, smuggling golden biscuits, and helped police to solve the crime in the process. He also let me read a couple of pages of that book and I was kind of hooked.

I was the youngest member of my local club library. So that day, I went there in the afternoon and asked the librarian, “Uncle, can you find me the book ‘Sonar Biscuit’?”

He searched for sometime, could not find it and then got another book from the rack and asked me, “I can’t find ‘Sonar Biscuit’, but this one is called ‘Sonar Kella’? Are you going to take this one?”

And I promptly said, “No uncle. Please find me ‘Sonar Biscuit’ and not ‘Sonar Kella’! I don’t want to read this one!!”

Well, you have to consider the fact that, I was just seven. Seven, at which age Harry Belfonte asked his father ‘about the stories of man and woman, man to man’! Some friends of mine may also call this one as the first recorded incident of me making a Taux Pass (Tapo’s version of Faux Pass) but yeah, I do accept the fact that I was little foolish at that time. Anyhow, the fact of the matter is that I got my first Pheluda book pretty soon after that incident and then keep reading all of them all the time.

Now, I sometimes think, why is Sonar Kella such a popular book in Pheluda series? Is it because this is the first Pheluda story which Ray decided to convert to a film? Or is it because of the grand entry of Mr. Jatayu, especially in the film accompanied by a porter and his famous red suitcase? Or because of its background in historical Rajasthan? Or is it because, Mukul’s story of previous birth was really interesting and new to people? (I know Sharadindu has written quite few stories on previous births, but those were mostly for adults and not for youngsters)

What I always felt is that, the key to Sonar Kella’s popularity is the fact this is an out and out childrens’ book. Obviously the main theme of the book is solving the mystery of Sonar Kella but that’s not the only theme. The funny bits involving Jatayu, the bits of history, the stern, aloof presence of Mukul, the adventure of camel ride and a chilling villain in Mandar Bose - all these factors together have created such a mood, as a child I sometimes found this book too intimidating. There were times when I read this novel and then for next few days kept thinking about Pheluda’s Personality, Sidhujyatha’s list of trivia, Lalmohanbabu’s description of camels using their stomach as source of water and the man disguised in a red shawl.

The plot of this book was as good as any other Pheluda stories. I liked how the mystery was constructed through various incidents in Kolkata and Rajasthan, with help of new characters like Jatayu and Mandar Bose. I still remember how I started guessing who could be that man whom Mukul met just outside the Circuit House which followed by the mystifying comment of Dr. Hazra that this man can be someone from Mukul’s current birth or the previous birth. The readers also got a chance to put their brain into work, trying to solve this puzzle:

And yes, the climax inside the Golden fortress merits a mention. I found it a perfect finish of this book after the incidents of previous twenty odd pages. Pheluda and group chased Mukul and Dr. Hazra, their journey was hampered thanks to Mandar Bose and board pins and glass pieces, they chased a train on camels, they spent a whole evening in the semi dark Ramdeora station with bandits and then threw Mandar Bose away from a running train. And all these events finally culminated when the fake Dr. Hazra got attacked by a peacock and was promptly hold by inspector Rathod, friend of the original Dr. Hajra.

(Could this be Mukul's Home? Or is this Giridhari's?)

In recent times I have spent lots of time by cursing and discussing the number of slipups made in Sandip Ray’s version of Pheluda movies. Yes, the list is pretty long and for me one of biggest follies of the new Pheluda movies is that there’s no mystery! From the very first scene, you know who the criminal is and then basically wait for Sabyasachi (who in ‘Kailashe Kelenkari’ looked like a middle aged man with…umm… to quote Chandrabindu ‘…modhyikhane chhotto ekti Bhnuri’) to finally announce that. In one such discussion someone told me, even Satyajit used to do the same, right? In Sonar Kella, you knew that it was Mandar Bose and fake Dr. Hazra, who were the bad men. And yes I agree, but then, although the audience knew who is the criminal in first half an hour of the movie still they have to wait to find how the mystery of Sonar Kella got solved? Did Mukul actually fulfill his dream of being in his Sonar Kella? And that made the movie such a wonderful watch.

Also, we have to think about Satyajit Ray’s treatment and directional skills, which to put mildly, were way better than his son. Sandip Ray fans (and yes, I am sure such people do exist. If Himesh Reshmiya can have a fan base then Mr. Ray also surely can. Yeah, those fans may be from Tuvalu or Guyana and know nothing about Pheluda but they can still like Sandip Ray’s Facebook page thinking that talks about some electromagnetic or photonic spectrum impacting the Ozone layer) have to agree that the script of those movies are the weakest part. Nothing new in those, it’s like converting the entire conversation from the book to a script.

But, if I start writing about the script of Sonar Kella I think I can continue for next twenty pages. It was Satyajit Ray at his best, so witty, so humorous, so subtle but at the same time simple enough to make a ten year old follow the story. From Jatayu’s Hindi to Mandar Bose’s lullabies it was an awesome experience. Some legendary dialogues have truly become a part of urban Bengali dialects! “Chokhe chhani noe, pete panita ektu beshi porechhe!”, “Hajar hajar doctor Hajra!”, “Knata ki era bechhe khae?”, “Hyena to China-e moshai!” the list is just too long. I will just mention another one which I noted in my latest viewing of Sonar Kella.

Just after the second puncture in their way to Jayasalmer, Pheluda (Soumitra Chatterjee) was sitting with a train timetable in hand, Jatayu (Santosh Dutta) came to him.

Jatayu: “Kirtita kar kichhu bujhhte parlen? Sara prithibir joto rokomer knach somosto niye ekhane joro korechhe!”

Pheluda: “Taholei bujhhun kirtita kar?”

Jatayu: “Anya!”

So subtle and so wonderful! I realized the advantage of watching the tenth time watched movie for the eleventh time after capturing this gem!

Now, let’s get into the characters. Who is your favorite? Santosh Dutta as Lalmohan or Kamu Mukherjee as Mandar Bose? Because for me it is one tough choice. I absolutely love Santosh Dutta with his antics in train, in the car and on the camel. But still Kamu Mukherjee just blew me away. His Card printed shirt, his magic tricks to Mukul, his duplication of camels in Nahargar everything was so real. Scenes involving both of these wonderful actors are just too good and keep you spellbound.

And yes I liked Pheluda’s subtle one liners too. Soumitra Chatterjee’s controlled, intellectual and intelligent portrayal of Pheluda was just the right foil along with all the madness from Jatayu and Mandar Bose. And obviously there were Ajay Banerjee as Barman, Kushal Chakravarti as Mukul and Shailen Mukherjee as Dr. Hemanga Hajra. I specially like Harindranath Chattopadhyay’s Sidhujyatha who exclaims, “Jeete raho bachcha!” after Pheluda answers all his questions.

I watched the movie and read the book in two consecutive days before writing this piece, and if you ask me, I would say I did not like it much. The book and the movie are so different despite being on the same story that it’s very difficult to compile those two and make it one single entity. I know that, I may again watch/read ‘Sonar Kella’ in next six months’ time and I will ensure that I do either of them and not both.

A lovely book, a legendary film and a part of my childhood- that is what I call Magic of the Golden Fortress.

The Mystery Begins

[Disclaimer: The following piece is a memoir of my experience and observation of the book Badshahi Angti by Satyajit Ray. Please note that, it includes some of the detailed plot discussions and spoilers regarding the mystery of the novel.]

Every story in life has a beginning. Sometimes it is awesome. Like Sourav Ganguly scoring a hundred on his test debut in the hallowed ground of Lords. Sometimes it’s not so good. Amitabh Bachchan starting his film career with ‘Saat Hindustani’ can be an example. And then there are times when the beginning is plain ugly. Like RCB’s IPL experience, that started with a 140 runs thrashing by KKR.

Satyajit Ray knew a few things about auspicious beginnings, his journey of life started with losing his father when he was two and half years old. He started his movie direction career at the age of 34 with one of the greatest documentation of human life and emotions, ‘Pather Panchali’, in 1955 which brought him lots of fame and let the cinema lovers of the world meet with a genius. And then, in 1966, Pheluda started his journey through novels as a detective in Badshahi Angti.

I first read Badshahi Angti at a pretty young age and absolutely loved it. Lucknow, Bhulbhulaiya in Bara Imambara, Residency, Banbiharibabu’s private zoo of ferocious animals and the climax in Lakshman Jhula, all of it actually blown me away.

I have read this book in next twenty or so years many a times. Not only had I loved it more and more, I have actually realized some very special characteristics of this book, compared to other Pheluda adventures.

Have you ever thought which kind of normal day job Pheluda would do? Well remember, according to this story he was working for last two years. I wonder whether it was a government job, or may be in some of those marwary private firms of 60s, where he might be working as a sales or marketing guy. Or should I dare assume that, he was in a bank, doing a very basic level of analytics! If you ask me, I would assume him to be in a management kind of role with his wonderful ability to read human minds and act accordingly.

Also here, Pheluda is a young man. He talks about his college days and spin bowling and more importantly people do not give him the importance which he started gaining from the very first page of the future books. But, yet his wit and sharpness was as good as ever.

He finally cracked the clue of ‘spy’ which was Piyarilal’s last words. With his detection power and great mind he did create one of the great moments of Pheluda stories when he described Topse about how he identified and memorized the entire plan of Bhulbhulaiya and hence used one of the chambers there to hide the ring of great Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

And not only Pheluda, Topse was just a kid in this story, who does not know about Residency, tried to read Pheluda’s notes written in Greek font, did not get it why Pheluda was receiving threat letters and forgot to take his hanky at the climax. But this young Topse suddenly became a hero when accidentally finds the ring inside Pheluda’s matchbox.

Bonbihari Sarkar was the first proper villain in the Pheluda series. He was an intriguing man with a polished look (thin mustache and pointed beard), knowledge about various historical events and a collection which includes a rattle snake and a black widow spider from Africa among others. And yes he was an intelligent man too. He used his strong man Ganesh Guha to follow Pheluda at places, instructed him to act as if Guha his leaving his job and also was smart enough to put the tape recorder below Topse’s cot in the dharamshala, anticipating a conversation between him and Pheluda regarding the ring. And that’s why I found it a little dumb for him to behave as if he does not recognize Mahabir as he should have realized that this move of his would bring suspicion on him atleast from Mahabir. But taking the duo to that jungle and left Pheluda and Topse with a rattle snake in the same room was a scary business by a smart man.

Now, one thing has happened with me pretty frequently. Whenever I have been to a new place I try to connect that place with any great book I have read. It happened in Jayasalmer when I asked a shopkeeper the time of sun rise to see the golden fortress at its best. This story did not end well though, the shopkeeper asked me the reason and then told me that, although Bengalis are coming here all the time but this place is actually hyped.

Similarly, when I and some of my other friends decided to visit Lucknow on the 31^st December of 2005, my first thought was that I am now going to visit the land of Pheluda’s first exploit. Ray was a keen observer and a great story-teller. And that’s why he had this ability to draw a very lively picture of any place he was describing. I went to Lucknow more than 35 years after this book and yes the roads were different, lots of government buses and autos along with the tangas but those historical places were exactly as I dreamt of after reading this book again and again.

I have already said that Pheluda was a young detective in this one. Hence he did not have his Colt 32 revolver which would become one of his most trusted companies in the future adventures.

Instead his choice of weapon (except his Magajastra) was something which we mostly associate with those teen-age detectives who get into trouble while following a suspicious man with beard and sunglasses while coming back from school. Feluda called it ‘Churnikrta Bramhastra’ which was nothing but black pepper powder. But obviously it had a pretty good effect on the villains and I was happy.

Badshahi Angti is definitely not the best Pheluda work by Ray but this book was a very potent foundation of a great series. A series which was carried on for next 20 years with 18 more publications and with times which is converted into a life long legend for most of the literary minded Bengalis.

Mahabharat Premier League

Two young men enter stage from opposite sides, wearing quite cool clothes.

First: Hey Dude!

Second: Yo Man!!

First: Wassup? Hey have u heard, Tapo is writing some skit!

Second: I know!! That also, based on Mahabharat!

First: Yeah! No originality! All copy-pasting!

First one shakes his head!

Second: Seriously! But one thing… Brother Nakul!

First: Yes bro Sahadev?

Sahadev: Every time there’s a play on Mahabharat, we always become side characters!!

Nakul: Right! Very Bad!!

Sahadev: Think about a bollywood movie on Mahabharat… for brother Judhishthir, Bhim or Arjun there will be Shah rookh Khan, Salaman Khan, Hrithik Roshan…

Nakul: But, you know for brother Bhim, Dharam paji would be the best… Kutte, kamine maine tera khun pi jaunga…

Sahadev: Ha ha… but the point is for us there will be Fardeen Khan…

Nakul: Rajpal Jadav!

Sahadev: Sushant Singh!

Nakul gets confused!

Nakul: Who is he?

Sahadev: Whatever. So, this time we are not going to do the same. I am sure there will not be any good line for us. So we will improvise!

Nakul: You are right!

Sahadev: We will make all the jokes and will give the punch lines!

Nakul: Right bro!!

Nakul punches Sahadev on chest! Sahadev gets hurt!

Sahadev: Uff! You don’t need to take the punch line part so seriously!! Well, there come the heroes!!

Nakul: Yes, I can see bro Judhishthir, Bhim, Arjun… also Durjodhon is coming with Shakuni!

Judhishthir, Bhim, Arjun, Durjodhon and Shakuni enter. Judhishthir and Arjun are talking between themselves, Bhim is busy eating something, Durjodhon has earplug on his ears, Shakuni is busy with his cellphone, some more phones in his hand.

Durjodhon: Ha ha ha ha ha ha…

Judhishthir: Why are you laughing?

Durjodhon: I am the bad man!! I laugh just like that! Have not u seen Gulshan Grover or some other bollywood villains? Ha ha ha ha…

Judhishthir is not impressed!

Durjodhon: Anyways, as we were discussing, I am going to challenge you in some game!!

Arjun: The dice game?

Durjodhon: What do you think I am? Am I Buladi??

Arjun is scared, he goes to Bhim. Durjodhon goes to Judhishthir.

Durojodhon: Boss, I want to challenge you in a game of Angry Birds!!

Suddenly Nakul comes in the front.

Nakul: Are those birds really angry?

Judhishthir: uff Sahadev, don’t disturb!

Nakul: Bro, I am Nakul!!!

Judhishthir: Whatever!!

Durjodhon: Anyways, are u going to play Angry Birds with us or not?

Judhishthir is not sure!

Arjun: Nehi Bhai nehi!

Arjun starts crying on Bhim’s shoulder! Bhim keeps munching food! Durjodhon is surprised! He goes to Judhishthir.

Durjodhon: What? You don’t know how to play Angry Birds?

Judhisgthir shakes his head!

Durjodhon: Ha ha ha ha… shame shame! Now you will tell me that, you don’t have a Blackberry either!

Judhishthir did not reply. He walked away. Arjun’s cry increases! Durjodhon is surprised! Then he starts laughing!

Durjodhon: Really!! You don’t have a blackberry!! I have two and my uncle Shakuni… he has five!! He is a world champion in Angry Birds!!

Durjodhon and Shakuni start dancing on ‘We are the blackberry boys’. Nakul also join with them! After the dance, Sahadev took Nakul to one side.

Sahadev: Why did you dance? You don’t have a blackberry!

Nakul (confused): But I have an apple!

Sahadev: Ohh really… wah! Wah! You know, I always knew you have very classy choices.

Nakul takes out an apple fruit from his pocket and offered to Sahadev.

Nakul: Bro, you want a bite?

Sahadev got angry and took Nakul to one side.

Durjodhon looks to Shakuni.

Durjodhon: Uncle Shakuni, what game should we play now?

Shakuni: Don’t worry dear boy, I am also a champion in Roadrash, Need for Speed 2009, Counter Strike and Farmville!!

Durjodhon: Wonderful! Uncle Tussi Great Ho!

Durjodhon goes to Pandavas.

Durjodhon: So, what game you want to play?

Bhim: I think we should have boxing match!

Arjun: Uii Ma! It will be painful!

Judhishthir is thinking. Lagan music on the background.

Judhisthir: I know what game we should play. The most popular game in India!! We will play cricket! Mahabharat Premier League!

Nakul: You mean we will be in Mahabharat Paysa League!!

Judhishthir gets offended!

Judhishthir: Where is Krishna?

Krishna enters with Draupadi!

Draupadi looks at Durjodhon!

Draupadi: Hey Handsome!

Durjodhon: Hi Sweety!!

Durjodhon winks. Then Draupadi looks at pandavas.

Draupadi: Ohh here are my five husbands cum bro-in-laws!! It’s so confusing!

Bhim: Krishna, where were you?

Krishna: I was taking music lessons from Anu Malik! You want to here??

Krishna starts singing.

Krishna: Barish ho raha hain… it’s raining… it’s raining…

Judhishthir: Off… cut it. We are planning to have a cricket match with Kaurav’s!

Krishna: Really? What’s the rate for bowling a no-ball on the spot?

Judhishthir: Stop! I am Dharmaraj… I do not do spot fixing… and anyhow the rates are very poor nowdays, those Pakistanis cheap labors are affecting the overall industry.

Durjodhon: So, is it all final? Are we going to play a cricket match?

Judhishthir: Yes… but you are 100 guys, we are just five and this good for nothing Krishna. Let us invite some of our cricketer friends.

Durjodhon: Ok, we will also invite some cricketer friends of ours.

Arjun goes to Draupadi!!

Arjun: Panchali, Panchali, have you heard, we are going to play cricket match!!

Draupadi: You guys will play cricket!! Ohh no!! Let me call my dress designer to order 30-40 pieces of clothes!!

Arjun: Clothes!! Why?

Draupadi: Have not you seen B.R. Chopra’s Mahabharat in TV? Rupa Ganguly showed 20 types of sharis in that scene!!

Draupadi leaves the stage. Krishna goes to Judhishthir.

Krishna: Hey, one of my friends is a great player!

Judhishrhir: Ohh, really? Who? Sachin?

Krishna: Let’s that be a surprise!

Bhim: Let us go and practice for the match!

A Week Later.

Reporter enters the stage. With a headset and microphone.

Reporter: Hallo and welcome to the Mahabharat Premier League. I am reporting for the match between Pandavas and Kauravas. It’s very important match and let me start with taking interviews of some of very famous cricketers.

The reporter goes to the side, ask something, gets shocked. Then sadly comes to the center of the stage.

Reporter: Ok, guys, we have a situation here. Apparently, this script is so bakwas, we could not find enough actors for our play and hence, the same guys will come as players. So let me invite, friend of Judhishthir, Mr. Ricky Ponting!!

Ricky Ponting (Judhishthir) enters the stage while keep spitting on his palms. He comes to the reporter and extends his hand, the reporter refuses.

Reporter: Hi Mr. Ponting! Please tell us how you are feeling as you are playing for Pandavas?

Ponting: Very happy! But I must say great choice by Judhishthir, I am one of the most honest players around!!

Reporter: err…

Ponting: Do you doubt my integrity?

Reporter: No no… so you are the captain! How many runs you want to score?

Ponting: Great! By the way, do you have the team list for other team?

Reporter: Yes!

Ponting: Can you tell me whether Harbhajan Singh is in that team?

Reporter: No Ricky.

Ponting: Any other Sing, Ghising… anyone?

Reporter: No no… no such player!

Ponting (smiling): Great! I will make a double hundred!

Reporter: Great! Thanks Ricky. Please wait for other players.

Ponting goes and stands in the back.

Reporter: Let me invite, Bhim’s friend Shoaib Akhtar!!

Shoaib (Bhim) enters with a bat, very slowly.

Reporter: Hurry up Shoaib. You are a fast bowler!

Shoaib: Only my bowling used to be fast. I do not move fast!

Reporter: So, why do you have a bat in your hand?

Shoaib: Who is my captain?

Reporter shows to Ponting: He is your captain!

Ponting: Right Shoaib, why do you have a bat in your hand?

Shoaib: You drop me once from the team and then I will show why I have this bat!

Ponting gets scared. Shoaib goes and stands with Ponting.

Reporter: After the fiery Shoaib Akhtar let me invite Sourav Ganguly, friend of Arjun.

Sourav (Arjun) enters the stage and then take of his shirt and starts waving!

Reporter: Hallo Dada… any comment?

Sourav: Main hnu Sourav Ganguly! Bhule to nehi ?

Reporter : right... right...

Sourav: I am now anchoring the KBC! Let me ask you a question… ha ha ha!! Who will win in a 100 meter race? Your options are Spiderman, Superman, 90 year old man and fast bowling loving Indian batsman??

Reporter is confused!

Reporter: umm… not sure dada!

Sourav: The 90 year old man, because others do not exists in real world!! Ha ha ha…

Sourav goes and joins Ponting and Shoaib.

Reporter: Next, let me invite friends of Nakul-Sahadev, Murali Karthik and Dinesh Karthik!!

MK and DK enter.

MK& DK (angrily): Again side characters!!

Dinesh Karthik: And do not make any lame joke about ‘Kartik calling Kartik’ being our favorite movie!!

Reporter is scared. Mk and DK join the others in the back.

Reporter: Ok… that’s the team for the Pandavas. Let me invite In-Zamam-ul Haq, Durjodhon’s Friend.

Inji: Illellellellalla… the boys plays very well. We try hard but their balling was good, they win. Next match, we played well to win. Thank You.

Reporter: But Inji, the match has not started yet…

Inji: Ohhh… sorry… I thought post match presentation ho raha hain! Ramiz bhai knaha gaya?

Inji goes in the back.

Reporter: Now we have uncle Shakuni’s friend, Sreeshanth!!

Sreshanth enters the stage doing moonwalk then do some break dance and other steps.

Reporter: Hi Sree, great dance. Anything about the match?

Sree: I will give my 200%!

Reporter: Ok… so any bowling plan?

Sree: What plan? I will give my 200%

Reporter: Ok, so if you lose what you will do?

Sree: Will go to a party and give my 200%

Reporter is totally confused. Sree goes to Inji.

Reporter: Ok I just got info that a special player has landed just now; he is Krishna’s friend…

Someone enters in an Argentine Jersey with a cigar in hand.

Reporter: Who are you?

Man: I am the greatest player in the world. I am Maradona!!

Reporter: Maradona!! In a cricket match??

Maradona: What cricket! Let’s play football! I will score my hand of God goal again!!

Maradona Starts fighting with other cricketers!

Reporter: Friends. I am sorry to say that the match has been called off. It’s crazy here! This should be called the ‘Mahabharat Pagal league’!!

The reporter runs away from the stage!!

Change

Changes are coming. I know that... and I am ready for it. The game called 'Life' is getting more interesting with every passing day. C'mon God, whatever happens let it happen, just let me have some fun!! Give me strength to face the easy and difficult times of life!!

Cheers!!

World Cup 2011: One day to Go

Feeling very exited about the return of world cup to sub continent after 15 years. 1996 world cup was the semi new phase of my cricket watching as a thirteen years old.

I remember that brutal innings of Jadeja in Bangalore, I remember Brian Lara's beautiful 100 against the South Africans. The upset by Kenya on the lip year day against the Windies are still fresh in mind so as the 100 by Arabinda De Silva while chasing in a world cup final. And then I remember how that little dark, bold guy from Sri Lanka announced himself in the world stage and remained the 'Matara Dasher' for next dozen of years!

But if you ask me to mention two stand out moments of that world cup, here goes my picks:

The happiest or the proudest moment I remember was that awesome comeback by Venkatesh Prasad after that moment of madness by Aamir Sohail.

And the saddest moment came in the very next match! The disaster in Eden Gardens where Indian team crumbled while chasing on an under-prepared pitch, effected by the inauguration ceremony which was a debacle in itself with the flop Laser show. And I want to delete this from my memory for a very long time.

Another world cup comes with lots of hope, expectation and passionate fan fare!!! I just hope the quality of cricket remains good and some new stars take birth during the cup. I also pray that my team make us proud, they don't need to win the world cup but should dominate significant part of it!!

All the best boys!! Go and have a blast!!

Miles to Go Before I Sleep

The above as you know is a famous line by Robert Frost which is one of my favorites from a very young age. I have quoted this line in various essays during my school days. Now during my latest Rajasthan trip I was thinking about the places I have visited and the places I wish to visit. I realized that the second list is much longer and hence decided to put this one as the title of this piece.

I was born in Kolkata in late 1983. First time I went outside West Bengal was in 1985 when I visited my ancestral house in Munger, Bihar to attend my grandfather's funereal. So as you can understand, I was less than two years old and hence has no memory except one. It was a famous story about me happily eating 'Pneyajis' sitting on a tractor in the garage adjacent to our house on the day of the funereal!

My next adventure outside Bengal was in Benaras, the year was 1986. I was two and half years old and it was time for my 'Mundan' ceremony! For this trip I have a couple of memories. One of them was during the train journey. my parents got a couple of side berths and as my mom confirmed I was awake whole night chatting with my dad. The other memory was a beautiful one. Standing in one of the ghats in Benaras in the evening, holding my father's hand and watching those boats and vessels on the water. I still remember those reflection of light in water.

During 1991-92 me and my parents visited places like Deoghar, Raajgeer and Goa. I was still quite young at that time to have clear memories but I still remember the huge statues of Gautam Buddha in Raajgeer and also the beautiful churches in Goa. I do remember the beaches though I was not grown up enough to have all the fun in the beach!

And then there was a long gap with various reasons including my father's transfer to Patna and my studies. And next time I went out of West Bengal was to Kanpur to do my masters in 2005 and in since then I have made trips in Lucknow, Mumbai, Delhi, Rajasthan and Sydney.

Also visited a few places inside West Bengal like Digha, Bakkhali, Tajpur and how can I miss the number of awesome visits in Shantiniketan!

And now comes the places which I want to visit in Future... let's see how it goes!!

1. Mumbai (Full trip)-Pune-Aurangbad (Ajanta-Ellora caves)- Goa
2. Vizag- Araku Valley
3. Laksadwip
4. Bangalore (to visit a dear friend)

5. Sydney (I liked the place and want to have another visit when I do not have a fractured skull)
6. Bangkok and Phuket (the beachs)
7. Egypt (Pyramids! Obviously!!)
8. Europe... now this will be a big list... let me start with Greece, Rome, Venice, Paris and then Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands. And obviously how can I ignore that small Island called United Kingdom!
9. US of America... well this place has hardly any history but well, being the most powerful country of the world I can't ignore it. Also I have so many friends around USA that accommodation will never be a problem!!
10. Canada in winter (I guess it will be fun to be in -15 degree temperatures)
11. Brazil (in 2014, during the time of FIFA world cup!)

And then comes a few cricketing countries like

12. Australia (the entire continent)
13. The Caribbeans (365 beaches, one each of each day of year!)
14. New Zealand (the grounds are absolutely beautiful there)
15. South Africa
16. Sri Lanka

These are the places which I can list down now, may be I will add more places in this in future!!

Any of my friends who is reading this wish to give me company in any of these trips?

Dada...Please!!